Systems and methods for providing binge-watching pause position recommendations

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided herein for recommending a pause position during a binge-watching session. A series containing multiple sequential episodes is provided to a user device. Then it is determined whether the user is engaged in binge-watching the series. If the user is binge-watching the series, a binge compulsion score is determined for each episode of the plurality of sequential episodes, where the binge compulsion score is based on how many additional sequential episodes an average user has watched after watching that episode. Then, in response to determining that the binge compulsion score of the next episode corresponds to a threshold, a prompt is generated for display, where the prompt includes a recommendation to the user to pause the series before the next episode begins.

BACKGROUND

Binge-watching is serious issue that can negatively affect television ormedia watching experiences for users. Binge-watching is of particularconcern when multiple sequential episodes of a TV series are availablefor on-demand viewing. In such cases, a user will often repeatedlyrequest a next episode of the series, often while losing track of timeand potentially spending much more time than he or she intended to spendon watching TV. Some television systems or media consumption systems mayprovide warnings when a user spends too much time watching TV, orwatches too many episodes of the same show. However, such warnings areoften inefficient because they fail to account for how likely eachepisode of the series is to cause or prolong binge-watching. Inaddition, such warnings are not based on how other users behaved afterwatching a particular episode. Thus, warnings provided by existingsystems will often warn a user when he is not at a risk of unplannedbinge-watching and fail to warn the user when the risk of unplannedbinge-watching is high.

SUMMARY

To this end and others, systems and method are provided that improve themedia consumption experience for users by providing improvedbinge-watching warnings. In particular, a warning may be provided basedon evaluating how likely each episode of the series is to causebinge-watching behavior. For example, consumption patterns of multipleusers can be tracked to establish how likely each episode is to causebinge-watching. Data may be collected as to how rapidly an average usertends to watch additional episodes after watching a particular episode.Consequently, if a user is binge-watching a series, a prompt to pauseplayback may be provided when the user encounters or is about toencounter an episode that is particular likely to cause morebinge-watching. Such tailored warnings provide a significant improvementto existing media consumption systems, by providing prompts to pause thewatching of the series at key times when a user may be particularlyvulnerable to unplanned binge-watching.

In some embodiments, a media guidance application provides a media assetseries to a user device, the series comprising a plurality of sequentialepisodes. For example, the media guidance application may provide the“Game of Thrones” TV series, where the series has seven sequentialepisodes, e.g.: “Episode 1,” “Episode 2” . . . “Episode 7.” In someembodiments, any series may be provided having any number of sequentialepisodes. In some embodiments, the media guidance application maydetermine that the user is engaged in binge-watching. For example, themedia guidance application may determine that the user is watchingsequential episodes at a rate that is faster than a threshold rate. Insome embodiments, the media guidance application may determine that theuser is engaged in binge-watching when the user watches more than threeepisodes in four hours or less.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine abinge compulsion score for each episode of the plurality of sequentialepisodes. For example, the media guidance application may determine ascore for each of the “Episode 1,” “Episode 2” . . . “Episode 7” of the“Game of Thrones” TV series. In some embodiments, the media guidanceapplication may determine a binge compulsion score for each episodebased on how many additional sequential episodes an average user haswatched after watching that episode. For example, if after watching“Episode 1,” an average user went on to also watch two more sequentialepisodes (e.g., “Episode 2” and “Episode 3”) in a certain period oftime, the media guidance application may set the binge compulsion scoreto a value of “2.” In another example, if after watching “Episode 3,” anaverage user went on to also watch three more sequential episodes (e.g.,“Episode 4,” “Episode 5,” and “Episode 6”) in a short period of time,the media guidance application may set the binge compulsion score to avalue of “3.”

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine thatthe binge compulsion score of the next episode corresponds to athreshold. For example, watching more than four episodes in a row may beconsidered detrimental to the user, and the threshold may be set to “3,”which would correspond to an expected behavior of watching an episode,followed by watching three additional episodes in a certain period oftime. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may thencompare the binge compulsion score of a next episode to the threshold.For example, if the media guidance applications is about to beginplaying “Episode 3,” after already playing “Episode 1” and “Episode 2”within a threshold period of time, the media guidance application maydetermine that the binge compulsion score of “Episode 3” is “3” whichcorresponds to (e.g., equals or exceeds) the threshold that is also “3.”

In some embodiments, in response to determining that the bingecompulsion score of the next episode corresponds to a threshold, themedia guidance application may generate for display a promptrecommending to the user to pause the series before the next episodebegins. For example, the media guidance application may generate aprompt that includes the text “Most users went on to watch three moreepisodes after watching ‘Episode 3’ please consider watching ‘Episode 3’tomorrow.”

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may perform a methodfor recommending a pause position during binge-watching of series thatcomprises a plurality of sequential episodes. For example, the mediaguidance application may provide pause position recommendations relatedto providing the “Game of Thrones” TV series, where the series has sevensequential episodes, e.g.: “Episode 1,” “Episode 2” . . . “Episode 7.”For example, the media guidance application may anticipate that the useris likely to watch more episodes of the TV series than he originallyintended, and recommend a pause position to prevent such a scenario. Insome embodiments, the media guidance application may create a bingecompulsion score for each episode of the plurality of sequentialepisodes of the series. For example, the media guidance application maycreate a binge compulsion score for each of the episodes: “Episode 1,”“Episode 2” . . . “Episode 7.”

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may create a bingecompulsion score for each of the episodes by determining, for an averageuser who watched that episode, an average rate of consumption ofadditional sequential episodes of the series in a predetermined timeperiod that follows watching of that episode. For example, thepredetermined time period may be 4 hours. In some embodiments, the mediaguidance application may analyze the number of sequential episodes in a4-hour time window that were consumed by an average user following theconclusion of an initial episode.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may, for eachepisode of the plurality of sequential episodes of the series, calculatea score that corresponds to the average rate of consumption ofadditional episodes. For example, the binge compulsion score may be setto be equal to the average rate of consumption of additional episodes.In another example, the media guidance application may set the bingecompulsion score to the average rate of consumption that is scaled basedon another factor, e.g., length of that episode, popularity of themedia, or any other factor. In another example, a binge compulsion scoremay be selected from a scale of 1-10 (or any other range) scale. Forexample, a score of “1” may indicate that the episode is not likely tocause binge compulsion, while the score of “10” may indicate that theepisode is highly likely to cause binge compulsion. For example, anepisode with an average rate of consumption of additional sequentialepisodes of 4 episodes per 4 hours may correspond to a compulsion scoreof “10,” while an episode with an average rate of consumption ofadditional sequential episodes of 0.5 episodes per 4 hours maycorrespond to a compulsion score of “1.”

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may provide episodesof the series to a user device. For example, the media guidanceapplication may provide a TV series for display on the user's TV orcomputer screen. In some embodiments, the TV show series may include aplurality of sequential episodes. For example, the series may includeepisodes labeled: “Episode 1,” “Episode 2” . . . “Episode 7.” Theepisodes may be intended to be viewed sequentially. In some embodiments,the media guidance application may begin providing the series at“Episode 1.” In some embodiments, the media guidance application mayprovide the series beginning with any episode the user selects (e.g., anepisode that follows the last episode the user has accessed).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine that auser is binge-watching the series. In some embodiments, the mediaguidance application may determine that the user is watching too manyepisodes in a row, or is watching episodes too rapidly. For example, themedia guidance application may determine that a user is binge-watchingthe series because the user watched 4 episodes in a row within athreshold period of time (e.g., 4 hours).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine that auser is binge-watching the series by determining the user's current rateof consumption of the episodes. For example, the media guidanceapplication may track the user's consumption over a preset or dynamictime window and identify how many episodes were consumed during thattime period. For example, the media guidance application may track theuser's consumption of episodes within a rolling 4-hour window (or awindow of any other length). The rolling window may be pre-set oradjusted based on user profile, or based on other information. In someembodiments, the media guidance application may count how many episodesthe user has consumed during the time window, and divide that number bythe length of the rolling window. For example, if the user watched 3episodes during the 4-hour time window, the media guidance applicationmay determine that the user is watching the series at a rate of “3episodes per 4 hours.”

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determinewhether the user's rate of consumption corresponds to a binge-watchingthreshold. For example, the binge-watching threshold may be set based onthe length of the episodes, e.g., for shorter episodes (e.g.,half-an-hour episodes) a higher threshold may be set, while for longerepisodes (e.g., one hour episodes) a higher threshold may be set. Insome embodiments, the threshold may be set based on the user's profileor based on any other factor. For example, the binge-watching thresholdmay be set to a value of “3 episodes per 4 hours.” In some embodiments,the media guidance application may determine that a user is engaged inbinge-watching if the user's rate of consumption corresponds to abinge-watching threshold. For example, if the user's rate of consumptionis “3.5 episodes per 4 hours” while the threshold is “3 episodes per 4hours,” the media guidance application may determine that the user isbinge-watching the series.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may perform a seriesof steps in response to determining that the user is binge-watching theseries. In some embodiments, the series of steps may include determiningwhether the binge compulsion score of a next episode corresponds to arecommendation threshold. For example, the media guidance applicationmay determine whether the binge compulsion score of a next episode thatis about to be provided to the user device equals or exceeds a pre-setor dynamic recommendation threshold. For example, if the media guidanceapplication is about to begin providing “Episode 4” of the series, themedia guidance application may compare the binge compulsion score of“Episode 4” (e.g., “3.5 episodes per 4 hours”) to a threshold (e.g., “3episodes per 4 hours”) and determine that the binge compulsion scoredoes correspond to (e.g., equals to or exceeds) the recommendationthreshold.

In some embodiments, in response to determining that the bingecompulsion score of the next episode corresponds to the recommendationthreshold, the media guidance application may generate for display aprompt recommending to the user to pause the series before the nextepisode is provided. For example, the media guidance application maygenerate a prompt that includes text: “Please consider pausing, becausewatching the next episode is likely to make you watch four additionalepisodes,” or may include a text: “The next episodes is highly likely tocause binge-watching, please consider watching it at another time.”

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may generate bingewatching in the middle of an episode. For example, the media guidanceapplication may determine that a certain portion of an episode containsa spoiler. In this example, if the binge compulsion score of the currentepisode corresponds to the recommendation threshold, the media guidanceapplication may generate for display a prompt recommending to the userto pause the series before the spoiler is revealed. In another example,the media guidance application may determine that a certain portion ofan episode contains a higher binge compulsion score than the episodetaken as a whole. In this example, if the binge compulsion score of aportion of the current episode corresponds to the recommendationthreshold, the media guidance application may generate for display aprompt recommending to the user to pause the episode before that portionis provided.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may receive aconfirmation from a user (e.g., a user confirming the recommendationprompt). The media guidance application may then pause the providing ofthe series before the next episode is provided. For example, if themedia guidance application generated a recommendation prompt prior toplaying “Episode 4,” the media guidance application may pause theproviding of the series before “Episode 4” is played, if the userconfirmed the prompt.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may ask a user toinput a password or a PIN code as a part of the conformation. In someembodiments, the media guidance application may then require an input ofthe password or the PIN code before resuming providing of the series. Insome embodiments, the media guidance application may “hard” lockproviding of the series for a certain cool-down period. For example, auser may be unable to resume playback of the series for 24 hours.

In some embodiments, to create a binge compulsion score for eachepisode, the media guidance application may provide an episode of theseries to a plurality of user devices. For example, to determine thebinge compulsion score of “Episode 1,” the media guidance applicationmay provide “Episode 1” to a plurality of user devices. The mediaguidance application may then determine, for each of the plurality ofusers, how many additional episodes of the series were consumed in apredetermined time period (e.g., 4 hours) after the initial episode(e.g., “Episode 1”) was consumed. In some embodiments, the mediaguidance application may determine how many sequential episodes wereconsumed by each user in that time period. In some embodiments, themedia guidance application may then divide the number of episodesconsumed by the length of the time period. For example, a particularuser of the plurality of users, after consuming “Episode 1,” may havewatched 3 more episodes in a 4-hour time period. In some embodiments,the media guidance application may then calculate the rate ofconsumption of additional sequential media for that user as 3 (number ofadditional episodes watched) divided by the length of the predeterminedtime period (4 hours). In this example, the media guidance applicationmay determine that the rate of consumption of additional sequentialepisodes is “3 episodes per 4 hours” or “0.75 episodes per hour” forthat user.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may calculate anaverage of the respective rates of consumption for the plurality ofusers. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may averagethe rate of consumption of additional sequential episodes for multipleusers to determine the average rate of consumption of additionalsequential episodes for each episode of the series. For example, if oneuser consumed additional episodes at a rate of “3 episodes per 4 hours,”while another user consumed additional episodes at a rate of “2 episodesper 4 hours,” the average rate of consumption may be calculated to be“2.5 episodes per 4 hours.” In some embodiments, the media guidanceapplication may average rates of consumption for any number of users(e.g., for hundreds or thousands of users.) In some embodiments, themedia guidance application may select the plurality of users to havedemographic profiles similar to the user's.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may not be able toempirically determine the binge compulsion score for each episode. Insome embodiments, instead, the media guidance application may create abinge compulsion score for each episode by using a binge compulsionscore of a different episode that is similar to the one being evaluated.In some embodiments, the media guidance application may calculate alikeness score by comparing metadata of an episode of the series tometadata of a different episode of a different series. For example, themedia guidance application may compare genre metadata, review-scoremetadata data, or any other metadata to calculate the likeness score. Insome embodiments, the better the metadata matches, the higher thelikeness score may be.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine thatthe likeness score corresponds to a likeness threshold. For example, ifthe likeness score is greater than a threshold, the media guidanceapplication may determine that the episode and the different episode aresufficiently similar. For example, an episode of “Game of Thrones” maybefound to be sufficiently similar to an episode of “the Tudors.” In someembodiments, the media guidance application may, in response todetermining that the likeness score corresponds to a likeness threshold,retrieve a binge compulsion score of the different episode, and set thebinge compulsion score for the episode based on the binge compulsionscore of the different episode. For example, if the different episodehas a binge compulsion score of “3.5 episodes per 4 hours,” the mediaguidance application may set the binge compulsion score for the episodeto also be “3.5 episodes per 4 hours.”

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may identifymultiple different episodes that are sufficiently alike to the episode.In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then set thebinge compulsion score for the episode to be equal to an average ofbinge compulsion scores of a plurality of different episodes that have alikeness score that exceeds the likeness threshold.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine theuser's current rate of consumption of the episodes by selecting abinge-watching time window based on the user's profile. For example, themedia guidance application may determine the length of thebinge-watching time window based on the user's age. For example, a childwho is under 14 years old may have a time window (e.g. 2.5 hours) thatis shorter than a binge-watching time window for an adult (e.g., 4hours). In some embodiments, the media guidance application maydetermine the binge-watching time window based on existing parentalcontrol settings.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine anumber of episodes of the series the user has watched during thebinge-watching time window. For example, the media guidance applicationmay determine how many episodes were watched during a 4-hour window. Insome embodiments, the media guidance application may then divide thenumber of episodes by the length of the binge-watching time window. Forexample, if three episodes were watched, the media guidance applicationmay determine the user's current rate of consumption of the episodes bydividing a value of “3” (3 episodes) by the value “4” (4 hours).

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may further access auser profile, access recent user watching history, and access usercalendar data. In some embodiments, the media guidance application maythen determine the binge-watching threshold based on any one of the userprofile, recent user watching history, and the user calendar data, orany combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may use the age ofthe user from the user profile to determining the binge-watchingthreshold. For younger users, the binge-watching threshold may be setlower than the binge-watching threshold for older users. In someembodiments, the media guidance application may use recent user watchinghistory to set the binge-watching threshold. For example, if the userrecently engaged in binge-watching, the binge-watching threshold may beset lower. In some embodiments, the media guidance application may usethe user's calendar data to set the binge-watching threshold. Forexample, if the user has appointments that are coming up soon, the mediaguidance application may decrease the binge-watching threshold.

In some embodiments, the media guidance may determine that a pluralityof users typically paused the series before the next episode of theseries. For example, the media guidance application may determine that adisproportionally large number of users stopped watching the seriesbefore “Episode 4.” In some embodiments, the media guidance applicationmay then adjust the recommendation threshold. For example, the mediaguidance application may be more likely to generate the pause promptbefore “Episode 4” if a plurality of other users typically paused beforethe next episode of the series.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may receive, from auser, an indication that binge-watching prompts are allowed. Forexample, such an indication may be received when the user device isinitially provisioned. For example, the user may check a checkbox thatreads “allow binge-watching prompts.” In some embodiments, the mediaguidance application may generate for display the prompt recommending tothe user to pause the series before next episode is provided, only inresponse to receiving the indication that binge-watching prompts areallowed.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may generatereminders to resume the series later in time. In some embodiments, themedia guidance application may, in response to pausing the providing ofthe series before the next episode is provided, calculates length of acool-down period based on a user profile. For example, the mediaguidance application may use demographic information of the user to setthe cool-down period. For example, for users under the age of 14, thecool-down period may be set for 2 days, while for older users thecool-down period may be set for 1 day. In some embodiments, the mediaguidance application may generate for display a reminder for the user toresume watching the series after the cooling-down period. For example,after 1 day, the media guidance application may generate a message was“would you like to resume watching the series that was paused earlier?”

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may generate aprompt recommending to the user to pause the series before the nextepisode is provided to include an indication of how many episodes theaverage user watched after watching the current episode. For example,the prompt may include text “an average user went on to watch 3 moreepisodes after watching this one.”

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the disclosure will beapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencecharacters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative media guidance interface that may provideimproved functionality for generating binge-watching pauserecommendation prompts, in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 shows another illustrative media guidance interface that maydynamically include or exclude a video, in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows yet another illustrative media guidance interface that maydynamically include or exclude a video, in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative user equipment device, inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an illustrative media system in accordancewith some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative flow diagram for a process of generatingbinge-watching pause recommendation prompts, in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts another illustrative flow diagram for a process ofgenerating binge-watching pause recommendation prompts, in accordancewith some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative flow diagram for a process of calculatingan average rate of consumption in accordance with some embodiments ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative flow diagram for a process of setting thebinge compulsion score in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts an illustrative flow diagram for a process ofdetermining the user's current rate of consumption of the episode inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts an illustrative flow diagram for a process ofdetermining the binge-watching threshold in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 depicts an illustrative flow diagram for a process of adjustingthe recommendation threshold in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 13 depicts another illustrative flow diagram for a process ofgenerating for display the recommendation prompts in accordance withsome embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 14 depicts another illustrative flow diagram for a process ofgenerating for display a reminder for the user to resume watching theseries, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing intelligent pauserecommendations to mitigate unintended binge-watching of a series by theuser. For example, the media guidance application may determine when theuser is binge-watching a series, and then evaluate the next episodebefore it is provided. The evaluation may include determining a bingecompulsion score that is determined based on statistics associated withthe next episode. In particular, the statistics may include how manyepisodes an average viewer watched right after (or within a short timewindow after) watching the current episode. A higher number of episodesindicates the higher potential of that episode to cause binge-watching.This information is then used to generate prompts or warnings to a userto pause the watching of the series before an episode that is likely tocause binge-watching. Such technique improves the ability of a mediaconsumption system to provide a pleasant user experience. In particular,warnings are not provided when binge-watching is not likely to continue(so as not to annoy the user). In addition, the warnings may be providedwhen the user is highly likely to engage in binge-watching.

As referred to herein, the term “series” or “media asset series” refersto any kind of media (e.g., video, audio, or multimedia) content thatincludes distinct sequential episodes that may be watched separatelyfrom one another. For example, the television series “Game of Thrones”may include sequential episodes “Episode 1,” “Episode 2,” . . . “Episode7.” A series may be intended to be provided in a sequential orderaccording to episode numbering via a television, a computer, or anyother user device. In some embodiments, the term “series” may relate toan interconnected set of media that can be watched separately from oneanother in any order. For example, a collection of episodes of “AmericasFunniest Home Videos” may be considered to be a series even if the useris not expected to watch such episodes in any particular order. Forexample, a user can watch episodes of the series “Americas Funniest HomeVideos” series in any order such as: “Episode 7,” “Episode 2,” . . .“Episode 5.”

As referred to herein, the term “episode” refers to any kind of media(e.g., video, audio, or multimedia) content that forms a distinct partof a series. Each episode can be watched separately from other episodesof the series. Episodes may be typically arranged sequentially by numbersuch that content of one episodes follows content of a previous episode.

As referred to herein, the term “binge-watching” refers to any kind ofrapid consumption of episodes of a series in a relatively short timeperiod. In some embodiments, binge-watching may refer to watchingseveral (e.g., three) episodes in a row. In some embodiments,binge-watching may refer to watching several (e.g., three) episodes in ashort time period (e.g., four hours.) In some embodiments,binge-watching may refer to watching episodes of a series at a rapidrate, e.g., at a rate exceeding 3 episodes per 4 hours.)

As referred to herein, the phrase “binge compulsion score” refers to anymetric or score that assesses or indicates the ability of an episode ofa series to cause binge-watching behavior. In some embodiments, “bingecompulsion score” may refer to a rate at which users historicallyconsumed additional episodes after consuming a particular episode. Insome embodiments, “binge compulsion score” may refer to a numeric score(e.g., a score in a range of 1-10), where a higher score indicates thatthe episode is comparatively more likely to cause binge-watching, and alower score indicates a comparatively lower capability to causebinge-watching.

The amount of content available to users in any given content deliverysystem can be substantial. Consequently, many users desire a form ofmedia guidance through an interface that allows users to efficientlynavigate content selections and easily identify content that they maydesire. An application that provides such guidance is referred to hereinas an interactive media guidance application or, sometimes, a mediaguidance application or a guidance application.

Interactive media guidance applications may take various forms dependingon the content for which they provide guidance. One typical type ofmedia guidance application is an interactive television program guide.Interactive television program guides (sometimes referred to aselectronic program guides) are well-known guidance applications that,among other things, allow users to navigate among and locate many typesof content or media assets. Interactive media guidance applications maygenerate graphical user interface screens that enable a user to navigateamong, locate and select content. As referred to herein, the terms“media asset” and “content” should be understood to mean anelectronically consumable user asset, such as television programming, aswell as pay-per-view programs, on-demand programs (as in video-on-demand(VOD) systems), Internet content (e.g., streaming content, downloadablecontent, Webcasts, etc.), video clips, audio, content information,pictures, rotating images, documents, playlists, websites, articles,books, electronic books, blogs, chat sessions, social media,applications, games, and/or any other media or multimedia and/orcombination of the same. Guidance applications also allow users tonavigate among and locate content. As referred to herein, the term“multimedia” should be understood to mean content that utilizes at leasttwo different content forms described above, for example, text, audio,images, video, or interactivity content forms. Content may be recorded,played, displayed or accessed by user equipment devices, but can also bepart of a live performance.

The media guidance application and/or any instructions for performingany of the embodiments discussed herein may be encoded on computerreadable media. Computer readable media includes any media capable ofstoring data. The computer readable media may be transitory, including,but not limited to, propagating electrical or electromagnetic signals,or may be non-transitory including, but not limited to, volatile andnon-volatile computer memory or storage devices such as a hard disk,floppy disk, USB drive, DVD, CD, media cards, register memory, processorcaches, Random Access Memory (“RAM”), etc.

With the advent of the Internet, mobile computing, and high-speedwireless networks, users are accessing media on user equipment deviceson which they traditionally did not. As referred to herein, the phrase“user equipment device,” “user equipment,” “user device,” “electronicdevice,” “electronic equipment,” “media equipment device,” or “mediadevice” should be understood to mean any device for accessing thecontent described above, such as a television, a Smart TV, a set-topbox, an integrated receiver decoder (IRD) for handling satellitetelevision, a digital storage device, a digital media receiver (DMR), adigital media adapter (DMA), a streaming media device, a DVD player, aDVD recorder, a connected DVD, a local media server, a BLU-RAY player, aBLU-RAY recorder, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, a WebTV box, a personal computer television (PC/TV), a PCmedia server, a PC media center, a hand-held computer, a stationarytelephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, aportable video player, a portable music player, a portable gamingmachine, a smart phone, or any other television equipment, computingequipment, or wireless device, and/or combination of the same. In someembodiments, the user equipment device may have a front facing screenand a rear facing screen, multiple front screens, or multiple angledscreens. In some embodiments, the user equipment device may have a frontfacing camera and/or a rear facing camera. On these user equipmentdevices, users may be able to navigate among and locate the same contentavailable through a television. Consequently, media guidance may beavailable on these devices, as well. The guidance provided may be forcontent available only through a television, for content available onlythrough one or more of other types of user equipment devices, or forcontent available both through a television and one or more of the othertypes of user equipment devices. The media guidance applications may beprovided as on-line applications (i.e., provided on a web-site), or asstand-alone applications or clients on user equipment devices. Variousdevices and platforms that may implement media guidance applications aredescribed in more detail below.

One of the functions of the media guidance application is to providemedia guidance data to users. As referred to herein, the phrase “mediaguidance data” or “guidance data” should be understood to mean any datarelated to content or data used in operating the guidance application.For example, the guidance data may include program information, guidanceapplication settings, user preferences, user profile information, medialistings, media-related information (e.g., broadcast times, broadcastchannels, titles, descriptions, ratings information (e.g., parentalcontrol ratings, critic's ratings, etc.), genre or category information,actor information, logo data for broadcasters' or providers' logos,etc.), media format (e.g., standard definition, high definition, 3D,etc.), on-demand information, blogs, websites, and any other type ofguidance data that is helpful for a user to navigate among and locatedesired content selections.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative media guidance interface on a displayscreen that may provide improved functionality for resuming playback ofthe video in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.Display 100 shows a media guidance interface for video presentation,user interface presentation, and optional timeline presentation. In someembodiments, display 100 may display media content provided by the mediaguidance application. For example, display 100 may display image 102.Image 102 may be a part of media content provided by the media guidanceapplication. In some embodiments, media content provided by the mediaguidance application includes a series that contains a plurality ofsequential episodes.

In some embodiments, display 100 may optionally include timeline 112that tracks presentation of episodes 104, 106, 108, and 110 of theseries. In some embodiments, timeline 112 may have any number ofepisodes. In some embodiments, the media guidance application mayhighlight the episode that is currently being provided. For example, ifimage 102 is from episode 106, episode 106 may be highlighted ontimeline 112.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine abinge compulsion score for each episode of the plurality of sequentialepisodes 104, 106, 108, and 110. For example, the media guidanceapplication may determine the binge compulsion for episode 108 based onhow many additional sequential episodes an average user has watchedafter watching episode 108. For example, if an average user went on towatch three more episodes after watching episode 108, the bingecompulsion score for episode 108 may be set to “3.”

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may determine if theuser is currently binge-watching the series. For example, the mediaguidance application may track the number of episodes watched by theuser in a certain time window. For example, if the user watched episode104 and 106 in less than 2 hours, the media guidance application maydetermine that the user is engaged in binge-watching.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application may then monitor thebinge compulsion score of the next episode. For example, the mediaguidance application may be about to start displaying episode 108. Insome embodiments, the media guidance application may then compare thebinge compulsion score of episode 108 against a recommendationthreshold. For example, the binge compulsion score of episode 108 may be“3,” indicating that the average user, after watching episode 108, hasgone on to watch three more episodes of the series. The threshold may beset at any value (e.g., at a value of “2.5”). In this example, the mediaguidance application may determine that the binge compulsion score ofepisode 108 corresponds to (e.g. equals to or exceeds) therecommendation threshold. In this case, the media guidance applicationmay then display binge-watching prompt 114, if the media guidanceapplication has previously determined that the user is already engagedin binge-watching (e.g., because the user has already watched a certainnumber of episodes of the series in a row).

In some embodiments, binge-watching prompt 114 may include textprompting the user to pause the playback of the series before the nextepisode is shown. For example, binge-watching prompt 114 may include thetext “please consider pausing, as most users watched 3 more episodesafter the next one.”

In some embodiments, binge-watching prompt 114 may includebinge-watching user interface (UI) 116. For example, binge-watching UI116 may include “yes” and “no” buttons. In some embodiments, if a “yes”button is pressed by the user, the media guidance application may pausethe playback of the series. In some embodiments, binge-watching UI 116may include other features, such an interface to set a reminder toresume watching the series after a cool-down period.

FIGS. 2-3 show illustrative display screens that may be used to providemedia guidance data. The display screens shown in FIGS. 2-3 may beimplemented on any suitable user equipment device or platform. While thedisplays of FIGS. 2-3 are illustrated as full screen displays, they mayalso be fully or partially overlaid over content being displayed. A usermay indicate a desire to access content information by selecting aselectable option provided in a display screen (e.g., a menu option, alistings option, an icon, a hyperlink, etc.) or pressing a dedicatedbutton (e.g., a GUIDE button) on a remote control or other user inputinterface or device. In response to the user's indication, the mediaguidance application may provide a display screen with media guidancedata organized in one of several ways, such as by time and channel in agrid, by time, by channel, by source, by content type, by category(e.g., movies, sports, news, children, or other categories ofprogramming), or other predefined, user-defined, or other organizationcriteria.

FIG. 2 shows illustrative grid of a program listings display 200arranged by time and channel that also enables access to different typesof content in a single display. Display 200 may include grid 202 with:(1) a column of channel/content type identifiers 204, where eachchannel/content type identifier (which is a cell in the column)identifies a different channel or content type available; and (2) a rowof time identifiers 206, where each time identifier (which is a cell inthe row) identifies a time block of programming. Grid 202 also includescells of program listings, such as program listing 208, where eachlisting provides the title of the program provided on the listing'sassociated channel and time. With a user input device, a user can selectprogram listings by moving highlight region 210. Information relating tothe program listing selected by highlight region 210 may be provided inprogram information region 212. Region 212 may include, for example, theprogram title, the program description, the time the program is provided(if applicable), the channel the program is on (if applicable), theprogram's rating, and other desired information.

In addition to providing access to linear programming (e.g., contentthat is scheduled to be transmitted to a plurality of user equipmentdevices at a predetermined time and is provided according to aschedule), the media guidance application also provides access tonon-linear programming (e.g., content accessible to a user equipmentdevice at any time and is not provided according to a schedule).Non-linear programming may include content from different contentsources including on-demand content (e.g., VOD), Internet content (e.g.,streaming media, downloadable media, etc.), locally stored content(e.g., content stored on any user equipment device described above orother storage device), or other time-independent content. On-demandcontent may include movies or any other content provided by a particularcontent provider (e.g., HBO On Demand providing “The Sopranos” and “CurbYour Enthusiasm”). HBO ON DEMAND is a service mark owned by Time WarnerCompany L. P. et al. and THE SOPRANOS and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM aretrademarks owned by the Home Box Office, Inc. Internet content mayinclude web events, such as a chat session or Webcast, or contentavailable on-demand as streaming content or downloadable content throughan Internet web site or other Internet access (e.g. FTP).

Grid 202 may provide media guidance data for non-linear programmingincluding on-demand listing 214, recorded content listing 216, andInternet content listing 218. A display combining media guidance datafor content from different types of content sources is sometimesreferred to as a “mixed-media” display. Various permutations of thetypes of media guidance data that may be displayed that are differentthan display 200 may be based on user selection or guidance applicationdefinition (e.g., a display of only recorded and broadcast listings,only on-demand and broadcast listings, etc.). As illustrated, listings214, 216, and 218 are shown as spanning the entire time block displayedin grid 202 to indicate that selection of these listings may provideaccess to a display dedicated to on-demand listings, recorded listings,or Internet listings, respectively. In some embodiments, listings forthese content types may be included directly in grid 202. Additionalmedia guidance data may be displayed in response to the user selectingone of the navigational icons 220. (Pressing an arrow key on a userinput device may affect the display in a similar manner as selectingnavigational icons 220.)

Display 200 may also include video region 222, and options region 226.Video region 222 may allow the user to view and/or preview programs thatare currently available, will be available, or were available to theuser. The content of video region 222 may correspond to, or beindependent from, one of the listings displayed in grid 202. Griddisplays including a video region are sometimes referred to aspicture-in-guide (PIG) displays. PIG displays and their functionalitiesare described in greater detail in Satterfield et al. U.S. Pat. No.6,564,378, issued May 13, 2003 and Yuen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,794,issued May 29, 2001, which are hereby incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties. PIG displays may be included in other mediaguidance application display screens of the embodiments describedherein.

Options region 226 may allow the user to access different types ofcontent, media guidance application displays, and/or media guidanceapplication features. Options region 226 may be part of display 200 (andother display screens described herein), or may be invoked by a user byselecting an on-screen option or pressing a dedicated or assignablebutton on a user input device. The selectable options within optionsregion 226 may concern features related to program listings in grid 202or may include options available from a main menu display. Featuresrelated to program listings may include searching for other air times orways of receiving a program, recording a program, enabling seriesrecording of a program, setting program and/or channel as a favorite,purchasing a program, or other features. Options available from a mainmenu display may include search options, VOD options, parental controloptions, Internet options, cloud-based options, device synchronizationoptions, second screen device options, options to access various typesof media guidance data displays, options to subscribe to a premiumservice, options to edit a user's profile, options to access a browseoverlay, or other options.

The media guidance application may be personalized based on a user'spreferences. A personalized media guidance application allows a user tocustomize displays and features to create a personalized “experience”with the media guidance application. This personalized experience may becreated by allowing a user to input these customizations and/or by themedia guidance application monitoring user activity to determine varioususer preferences. Users may access their personalized guidanceapplication by logging in or otherwise identifying themselves to theguidance application. Customization of the media guidance applicationmay be made in accordance with a user profile. The customizations mayinclude varying presentation schemes (e.g., color scheme of displays,font size of text, etc.), aspects of content listings displayed (e.g.,only HDTV or only 3D programming, user-specified broadcast channelsbased on favorite channel selections, re-ordering the display ofchannels, recommended content, etc.), desired recording features (e.g.,recording or series recordings for particular users, recording quality,etc.), parental control settings, customized presentation of Internetcontent (e.g., presentation of social media content, e-mail,electronically delivered articles, etc.) and other desiredcustomizations.

The media guidance application may allow a user to provide user profileinformation or may automatically compile user profile information. Themedia guidance application may, for example, monitor the content theuser accesses and/or other interactions the user may have with theguidance application. Additionally, the media guidance application mayobtain all or part of other user profiles that are related to aparticular user (e.g., from other web sites on the Internet the useraccesses, such as www.Tivo.com, from other media guidance applicationsthe user accesses, from other interactive applications the useraccesses, from another user equipment device of the user, etc.), and/orobtain information about the user from other sources that the mediaguidance application may access. As a result, a user can be providedwith a unified guidance application experience across the user'sdifferent user equipment devices. This type of user experience isdescribed in greater detail below in connection with FIG. 5. Additionalpersonalized media guidance application features are described ingreater detail in Ellis et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2005/0251827, filed Jul. 11, 2005, Boyer et al., U.S. Pat. No.7,165,098, issued Jan. 16, 2007, and Ellis et al., U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2002/0174430, filed Feb. 21, 2002, which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Another display arrangement for providing media guidance is shown inFIG. 3. Video mosaic display 300 includes selectable options 302 forcontent information organized based on content type, genre, and/or otherorganization criteria. In display 300, television listings option 304 isselected, thus providing listings 306, 308, 310, and 312 as broadcastprogram listings. In display 300 the listings may provide graphicalimages including cover art, still images from the content, video clippreviews, live video from the content, or other types of content thatindicate to a user the content being described by the media guidancedata in the listing. Each of the graphical listings may also beaccompanied by text to provide further information about the contentassociated with the listing. For example, listing 308 may include morethan one portion, including media portion 314 and text portion 316.Media portion 314 and/or text portion 316 may be selectable to viewcontent in full-screen or to view information related to the contentdisplayed in media portion 314 (e.g., to view listings for the channelthat the video is displayed on).

The listings in display 300 are of different sizes (i.e., listing 306 islarger than listings 308, 310, and 312), but if desired, all thelistings may be the same size. Listings may be of different sizes orgraphically accentuated to indicate degrees of interest to the user orto emphasize certain content, as desired by the content provider orbased on user preferences. Various systems and methods for graphicallyaccentuating content listings are discussed in, for example, Yates, U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0153885, filed Nov. 12, 2009,which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Users may access content and the media guidance application (and itsdisplay screens described above and below) from one or more of theiruser equipment devices. FIG. 4 shows a generalized embodiment ofillustrative user equipment device 400. More specific implementations ofuser equipment devices are discussed below in connection with FIG. 5.User equipment device 400 may receive content and data via input/output(hereinafter “I/O”) path 402. I/O path 402 may provide content (e.g.,broadcast programming, on-demand programming, Internet content, contentavailable over a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN),and/or other content) and data to control circuitry 404, which includesprocessing circuitry 406 and storage 408. Control circuitry 404 may beused to send and receive commands, requests, and other suitable datausing I/O path 402. I/O path 402 may connect control circuitry 404 (andspecifically processing circuitry 406) to one or more communicationspaths (described below). I/O functions may be provided by one or more ofthese communications paths, but are shown as a single path in FIG. 4 toavoid overcomplicating the drawing.

Control circuitry 404 may be based on any suitable processing circuitrysuch as processing circuitry 406. As referred to herein, processingcircuitry should be understood to mean circuitry based on one or moremicroprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors,programmable logic devices, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc., and may includea multi-core processor (e.g., dual-core, quad-core, hexa-core, or anysuitable number of cores) or supercomputer. In some embodiments,processing circuitry may be distributed across multiple separateprocessors or processing units, for example, multiple of the same typeof processing units (e.g., two Intel Core i7 processors) or multipledifferent processors (e.g., an Intel Core i5 processor and an Intel Corei7 processor). In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 executesinstructions for a media guidance application stored in memory (i.e.,storage 408). Specifically, control circuitry 404 may be instructed bythe media guidance application to perform the functions discussed aboveand below. For example, the media guidance application may provideinstructions to control circuitry 404 to generate the media guidancedisplays. In some implementations, any action performed by controlcircuitry 404 may be based on instructions received from the mediaguidance application.

In client-server based embodiments, control circuitry 404 may includecommunications circuitry suitable for communicating with a guidanceapplication server or other networks or servers. The instructions forcarrying out the above mentioned functionality may be stored on theguidance application server. Communications circuitry may include acable modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) modem, adigital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem, Ethernet card,or a wireless modem for communications with other equipment, or anyother suitable communications circuitry. Such communications may involvethe Internet or any other suitable communications networks or paths(which is described in more detail in connection with FIG. 5). Inaddition, communications circuitry may include circuitry that enablespeer-to-peer communication of user equipment devices, or communicationof user equipment devices in locations remote from each other (describedin more detail below).

Memory may be an electronic storage device provided as storage 408 thatis part of control circuitry 404. As referred to herein, the phrase“electronic storage device” or “storage device” should be understood tomean any device for storing electronic data, computer software, orfirmware, such as random-access memory, read-only memory, hard drives,optical drives, digital video disc (DVD) recorders, compact disc (CD)recorders, BLU-RAY disc (BD) recorders, BLU-RAY 3D disc recorders,digital video recorders (DVR, sometimes called a personal videorecorder, or PVR), solid state devices, quantum storage devices, gamingconsoles, gaming media, or any other suitable fixed or removable storagedevices, and/or any combination of the same. Storage 408 may be used tostore various types of content described herein as well as mediaguidance data described above. Nonvolatile memory may also be used(e.g., to launch a boot-up routine and other instructions). Cloud-basedstorage, described in relation to FIG. 5, may be used to supplementstorage 408 or instead of storage 408.

Control circuitry 404 may include video generating circuitry and tuningcircuitry, such as one or more analog tuners, one or more MPEG-2decoders or other digital decoding circuitry, high-definition tuners, orany other suitable tuning or video circuits or combinations of suchcircuits. Encoding circuitry (e.g., for converting over-the-air, analog,or digital signals to MPEG signals for storage) may also be provided.Control circuitry 404 may also include scaler circuitry for upconvertingand downconverting content into the preferred output format of the userequipment 400. Circuitry 404 may also include digital-to-analogconverter circuitry and analog-to-digital converter circuitry forconverting between digital and analog signals. The tuning and encodingcircuitry may be used by the user equipment device to receive and todisplay, to play, or to record content. The tuning and encodingcircuitry may also be used to receive guidance data. The circuitrydescribed herein, including for example, the tuning, video generating,encoding, decoding, encrypting, decrypting, scaler, and analog/digitalcircuitry, may be implemented using software running on one or moregeneral purpose or specialized processors. Multiple tuners may beprovided to handle simultaneous tuning functions (e.g., watch and recordfunctions, picture-in-picture (PIP) functions, multiple-tuner recording,etc.). If storage 408 is provided as a separate device from userequipment 400, the tuning and encoding circuitry (including multipletuners) may be associated with storage 408.

A user may send instructions to control circuitry 404 using user inputinterface 410. User input interface 410 may be any suitable userinterface, such as a remote control, mouse, trackball, keypad, keyboard,touch screen, touchpad, stylus input, joystick, voice recognitioninterface, or other user input interfaces. Display 412 may be providedas a stand-alone device or integrated with other elements of userequipment device 400. For example, display 412 may be a touchscreen ortouch-sensitive display. In such circumstances, user input interface 410may be integrated with or combined with display 412. Display 412 may beone or more of a monitor, a television, a liquid crystal display (LCD)for a mobile device, amorphous silicon display, low temperature polysilicon display, electronic ink display, electrophoretic display, activematrix display, electro-wetting display, electrofluidic display, cathoderay tube display, light-emitting diode display, electroluminescentdisplay, plasma display panel, high-performance addressing display,thin-film transistor display, organic light-emitting diode display,surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED), laser television,carbon nanotubes, quantum dot display, interferometric modulatordisplay, or any other suitable equipment for displaying visual images.In some embodiments, display 412 may be HDTV-capable. In someembodiments, display 412 may be a 3D display, and the interactive mediaguidance application and any suitable content may be displayed in 3D. Avideo card or graphics card may generate the output to the display 412.The video card may offer various functions such as accelerated renderingof 3D scenes and 2D graphics, MPEG-2/MPEG-4 decoding, TV output, or theability to connect multiple monitors. The video card may be anyprocessing circuitry described above in relation to control circuitry404. The video card may be integrated with the control circuitry 404.Speakers 414 may be provided as integrated with other elements of userequipment device 400 or may be stand-alone units. The audio component ofvideos and other content displayed on display 412 may be played throughspeakers 414. In some embodiments, the audio may be distributed to areceiver (not shown), which processes and outputs the audio via speakers414.

The guidance application may be implemented using any suitablearchitecture. For example, it may be a stand-alone applicationwholly-implemented on user equipment device 400. In such an approach,instructions of the application are stored locally (e.g., in storage408), and data for use by the application is downloaded on a periodicbasis (e.g., from an out-of-band feed, from an Internet resource, orusing another suitable approach). Control circuitry 404 may retrieveinstructions of the application from storage 408 and process theinstructions to generate any of the displays discussed herein. Based onthe processed instructions, control circuitry 404 may determine whataction to perform when input is received from input interface 410. Forexample, movement of a cursor on a display up/down may be indicated bythe processed instructions when input interface 410 indicates that anup/down button was selected.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application is a client-serverbased application. Data for use by a thick or thin client implemented onuser equipment device 400 is retrieved on-demand by issuing requests toa server remote to the user equipment device 400. In one example of aclient-server based guidance application, control circuitry 404 runs aweb browser that interprets web pages provided by a remote server. Forexample, the remote server may store the instructions for theapplication in a storage device. The remote server may process thestored instructions using circuitry (e.g., control circuitry 404) andgenerate the displays discussed above and below. The client device mayreceive the displays generated by the remote server and may display thecontent of the displays locally on equipment device 400. This way, theprocessing of the instructions is performed remotely by the server whilethe resulting displays are provided locally on equipment device 400.Equipment device 400 may receive inputs from the user via inputinterface 410 and transmit those inputs to the remote server forprocessing and generating the corresponding displays. For example,equipment device 400 may transmit a communication to the remote serverindicating that an up/down button was selected via input interface 410.The remote server may process instructions in accordance with that inputand generate a display of the application corresponding to the input(e.g., a display that moves a cursor up/down). The generated display isthen transmitted to equipment device 400 for presentation to the user.

In some embodiments, the media guidance application is downloaded andinterpreted or otherwise run by an interpreter or virtual machine (runby control circuitry 404). In some embodiments, the guidance applicationmay be encoded in the ETV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF), received bycontrol circuitry 404 as part of a suitable feed, and interpreted by auser agent running on control circuitry 404. For example, the guidanceapplication may be an EBIF application. In some embodiments, theguidance application may be defined by a series of JAVA-based files thatare received and run by a local virtual machine or other suitablemiddleware executed by control circuitry 404. In some of suchembodiments (e.g., those employing MPEG-2 or other digital mediaencoding schemes), the guidance application may be, for example, encodedand transmitted in an MPEG-2 object carousel with the MPEG audio andvideo packets of a program.

User equipment device 400 of FIG. 4 can be implemented in system 500 ofFIG. 5 as user television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504,wireless user communications device 506, or any other type of userequipment suitable for accessing content, such as a non-portable gamingmachine. For simplicity, these devices may be referred to hereincollectively as user equipment or user equipment devices, and may besubstantially similar to user equipment devices described above. Userequipment devices, on which a media guidance application may beimplemented, may function as a standalone device or may be part of anetwork of devices. Various network configurations of devices may beimplemented and are discussed in more detail below.

A user equipment device utilizing at least some of the system featuresdescribed above in connection with FIG. 4 may not be classified solelyas user television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504, or awireless user communications device 506. For example, user televisionequipment 502 may, like some user computer equipment 504, beInternet-enabled allowing for access to Internet content, while usercomputer equipment 504 may, like some television equipment 502, includea tuner allowing for access to television programming. The mediaguidance application may have the same layout on various different typesof user equipment or may be tailored to the display capabilities of theuser equipment. For example, on user computer equipment 504, theguidance application may be provided as a web site accessed by a webbrowser. In another example, the guidance application may be scaled downfor wireless user communications devices 506.

In system 500, there is typically more than one of each type of userequipment device but only one of each is shown in FIG. 5 to avoidovercomplicating the drawing. In addition, each user may utilize morethan one type of user equipment device and also more than one of eachtype of user equipment device.

In some embodiments, a user equipment device (e.g., user televisionequipment 502, user computer equipment 504, wireless user communicationsdevice 506) may be referred to as a “second screen device.” For example,a second screen device may supplement content presented on a first userequipment device. The content presented on the second screen device maybe any suitable content that supplements the content presented on thefirst device. In some embodiments, the second screen device provides aninterface for adjusting settings and display preferences of the firstdevice. In some embodiments, the second screen device is configured forinteracting with other second screen devices or for interacting with asocial network. The second screen device can be located in the same roomas the first device, a different room from the first device but in thesame house or building, or in a different building from the firstdevice.

The user may also set various settings to maintain consistent mediaguidance application settings across in-home devices and remote devices.Settings include those described herein, as well as channel and programfavorites, programming preferences that the guidance applicationutilizes to make programming recommendations, display preferences, andother desirable guidance settings. For example, if a user sets a channelas a favorite on, for example, the web site www.Tivo.com on theirpersonal computer at their office, the same channel would appear as afavorite on the user's in-home devices (e.g., user television equipmentand user computer equipment) as well as the user's mobile devices, ifdesired. Therefore, changes made on one user equipment device can changethe guidance experience on another user equipment device, regardless ofwhether they are the same or a different type of user equipment device.In addition, the changes made may be based on settings input by a user,as well as user activity monitored by the guidance application.

The user equipment devices may be coupled to communications network 514.Namely, user television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504, andwireless user communications device 506 are coupled to communicationsnetwork 514 via communications paths 508, 510, and 512, respectively.Communications network 514 may be one or more networks including theInternet, a mobile phone network, mobile voice or data network (e.g., a4G or LTE network), cable network, public switched telephone network, orother types of communications network or combinations of communicationsnetworks. Paths 508, 510, and 512 may separately or together include oneor more communications paths, such as, a satellite path, a fiber-opticpath, a cable path, a path that supports Internet communications (e.g.,IPTV), free-space connections (e.g., for broadcast or other wirelesssignals), or any other suitable wired or wireless communications path orcombination of such paths. Path 512 is drawn with dotted lines toindicate that in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5 it is awireless path and paths 508 and 510 are drawn as solid lines to indicatethey are wired paths (although these paths may be wireless paths, ifdesired). Communications with the user equipment devices may be providedby one or more of these communications paths, but are shown as a singlepath in FIG. 5 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.

Although communications paths are not drawn between user equipmentdevices, these devices may communicate directly with each other viacommunication paths, such as those described above in connection withpaths 508, 510, and 512, as well as other short-range point-to-pointcommunication paths, such as USB cables, IEEE 1394 cables, wirelesspaths (e.g., Bluetooth, infrared, IEEE 802-11x, etc.), or othershort-range communication via wired or wireless paths. BLUETOOTH is acertification mark owned by Bluetooth SIG, INC. The user equipmentdevices may also communicate with each other directly through anindirect path via communications network 514.

System 500 includes content source 516 and media guidance data source518 coupled to communications network 514 via communication paths 520and 522, respectively. Paths 520 and 522 may include any of thecommunication paths described above in connection with paths 508, 510,and 512. Communications with the content source 516 and media guidancedata source 518 may be exchanged over one or more communications paths,but are shown as a single path in FIG. 5 to avoid overcomplicating thedrawing. In addition, there may be more than one of each of contentsource 516 and media guidance data source 518, but only one of each isshown in FIG. 5 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. (The differenttypes of each of these sources are discussed below.) If desired, contentsource 516 and media guidance data source 518 may be integrated as onesource device. Although communications between sources 516 and 518 withuser equipment devices 502, 504, and 506 are shown as throughcommunications network 514, in some embodiments, sources 516 and 518 maycommunicate directly with user equipment devices 502, 504, and 506 viacommunication paths (not shown) such as those described above inconnection with paths 508, 510, and 512.

System 500 may also include an advertisement source 524 coupled tocommunications network 514 via a communications path 526. Path 526 mayinclude any of the communication paths described above in connectionwith paths 508, 510, and 512. Advertisement source 524 may includeadvertisement logic to determine which advertisements to transmit tospecific users and under which circumstances. For example, a cableoperator may have the right to insert advertisements during specifictime slots on specific channels. Thus, advertisement source 524 maytransmit advertisements to users during those time slots. As anotherexample, advertisement source may target advertisements based on thedemographics of users known to view a particular show (e.g., teenagersviewing a reality show). As yet another example, advertisement sourcemay provide different advertisements depending on the location of theuser equipment viewing a media asset (e.g., east coast or west coast).

In some embodiments, advertisement source 524 may be configured tomaintain user information including advertisement-suitability scoresassociated with user in order to provide targeted advertising.Additionally or alternatively, a server associated with advertisementsource 524 may be configured to store raw information that may be usedto derive advertisement-suitability scores. In some embodiments,advertisement source 524 may transmit a request to another device forthe raw information and calculate the advertisement-suitability scores.Advertisement source 524 may update advertisement-suitability scores forspecific users (e.g., first subset, second subset, or third subset ofusers) and transmit an advertisement of the target product toappropriate users.

Content source 516 may include one or more types of content distributionequipment including a television distribution facility, cable systemheadend, satellite distribution facility, programming sources (e.g.,television broadcasters, such as NBC, ABC, HBO, etc.), intermediatedistribution facilities and/or servers, Internet providers, on-demandmedia servers, and other content providers. NBC is a trademark owned bythe National Broadcasting Company, Inc., ABC is a trademark owned by theAmerican Broadcasting Company, Inc., and HBO is a trademark owned by theHome Box Office, Inc. Content source 516 may be the originator ofcontent (e.g., a television broadcaster, a Webcast provider, etc.) ormay not be the originator of content (e.g., an on-demand contentprovider, an Internet provider of content of broadcast programs fordownloading, etc.). Content source 516 may include cable sources,satellite providers, on-demand providers, Internet providers,over-the-top content providers, or other providers of content. Contentsource 516 may also include a remote media server used to storedifferent types of content (including video content selected by a user),in a location remote from any of the user equipment devices. Systems andmethods for remote storage of content, and providing remotely storedcontent to user equipment are discussed in greater detail in connectionwith Ellis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,761,892, issued Jul. 20, 2010, whichis hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Media guidance data source 518 may provide media guidance data, such asthe media guidance data described above. Media guidance data may beprovided to the user equipment devices using any suitable approach. Insome embodiments, the guidance application may be a stand-aloneinteractive television program guide that receives program guide datavia a data feed (e.g., a continuous feed or trickle feed). Programschedule data and other guidance data may be provided to the userequipment on a television channel sideband, using an in-band digitalsignal, using an out-of-band digital signal, or by any other suitabledata transmission technique. Program schedule data and other mediaguidance data may be provided to user equipment on multiple analog ordigital television channels.

In some embodiments, guidance data from media guidance data source 518may be provided to users' equipment using a client-server approach. Forexample, a user equipment device may pull media guidance data from aserver, or a server may push media guidance data to a user equipmentdevice. In some embodiments, a guidance application client residing onthe user's equipment may initiate sessions with source 518 to obtainguidance data when needed, e.g., when the guidance data is out of dateor when the user equipment device receives a request from the user toreceive data. Media guidance may be provided to the user equipment withany suitable frequency (e.g., continuously, daily, a user-specifiedperiod of time, a system-specified period of time, in response to arequest from user equipment, etc.). Media guidance data source 518 mayprovide user equipment devices 502, 504, and 506 the media guidanceapplication itself or software updates for the media guidanceapplication.

In some embodiments, the media guidance data may include viewer data.For example, the viewer data may include current and/or historical useractivity information (e.g., what content the user typically watches,what times of day the user watches content, whether the user interactswith a social network, at what times the user interacts with a socialnetwork to post information, what types of content the user typicallywatches (e.g., pay TV or free TV), mood, brain activity information,etc.). The media guidance data may also include subscription data. Forexample, the subscription data may identify to which sources or servicesa given user subscribes and/or to which sources or services the givenuser has previously subscribed but later terminated access (e.g.,whether the user subscribes to premium channels, whether the user hasadded a premium level of services, whether the user has increasedInternet speed). In some embodiments, the viewer data and/or thesubscription data may identify patterns of a given user for a period ofmore than one year. The media guidance data may include a model (e.g., asurvivor model) used for generating a score that indicates a likelihooda given user will terminate access to a service/source. For example, themedia guidance application may process the viewer data with thesubscription data using the model to generate a value or score thatindicates a likelihood of whether the given user will terminate accessto a particular service or source. In particular, a higher score mayindicate a higher level of confidence that the user will terminateaccess to a particular service or source. Based on the score, the mediaguidance application may generate promotions that entice the user tokeep the particular service or source indicated by the score as one towhich the user will likely terminate access.

Media guidance applications may be, for example, stand-aloneapplications implemented on user equipment devices. For example, themedia guidance application may be implemented as software or a set ofexecutable instructions which may be stored in storage 408, and executedby control circuitry 404 of a user equipment device 400. In someembodiments, media guidance applications may be client-serverapplications where only a client application resides on the userequipment device, and server application resides on a remote server. Forexample, media guidance applications may be implemented partially as aclient application on control circuitry 404 of user equipment device 400and partially on a remote server as a server application (e.g., mediaguidance data source 518) running on control circuitry of the remoteserver. When executed by control circuitry of the remote server (such asmedia guidance data source 518), the media guidance application mayinstruct the control circuitry to generate the guidance applicationdisplays and transmit the generated displays to the user equipmentdevices. The server application may instruct the control circuitry ofthe media guidance data source 518 to transmit data for storage on theuser equipment. The client application may instruct control circuitry ofthe receiving user equipment to generate the guidance applicationdisplays.

Content and/or media guidance data delivered to user equipment devices502, 504, and 506 may be over-the-top (OTT) content. OTT contentdelivery allows Internet-enabled user devices, including any userequipment device described above, to receive content that is transferredover the Internet, including any content described above, in addition tocontent received over cable or satellite connections. OTT content isdelivered via an Internet connection provided by an Internet serviceprovider (ISP), but a third party distributes the content. The ISP maynot be responsible for the viewing abilities, copyrights, orredistribution of the content, and may only transfer IP packets providedby the OTT content provider. Examples of OTT content providers includeYOUTUBE, NETFLIX, and HULU, which provide audio and video via IPpackets. Youtube is a trademark owned by Google Inc., Netflix is atrademark owned by Netflix Inc., and Hulu is a trademark owned by Hulu,LLC. OTT content providers may additionally or alternatively providemedia guidance data described above. In addition to content and/or mediaguidance data, providers of OTT content can distribute media guidanceapplications (e.g., web-based applications or cloud-based applications),or the content can be displayed by media guidance applications stored onthe user equipment device.

Media guidance system 500 is intended to illustrate a number ofapproaches, or network configurations, by which user equipment devicesand sources of content and guidance data may communicate with each otherfor the purpose of accessing content and providing media guidance. Theembodiments described herein may be applied in any one or a subset ofthese approaches, or in a system employing other approaches fordelivering content and providing media guidance. The following fourapproaches provide specific illustrations of the generalized example ofFIG. 5.

In one approach, user equipment devices may communicate with each otherwithin a home network. User equipment devices can communicate with eachother directly via short-range point-to-point communication schemesdescribed above, via indirect paths through a hub or other similardevice provided on a home network, or via communications network 514.Each of the multiple individuals in a single home may operate differentuser equipment devices on the home network. As a result, it may bedesirable for various media guidance information or settings to becommunicated between the different user equipment devices. For example,it may be desirable for users to maintain consistent media guidanceapplication settings on different user equipment devices within a homenetwork, as described in greater detail in Ellis et al., U.S. PatentPublication No. 2005/0251827, filed Jul. 11, 2005. Different types ofuser equipment devices in a home network may also communicate with eachother to transmit content. For example, a user may transmit content fromuser computer equipment to a portable video player or portable musicplayer.

In a second approach, users may have multiple types of user equipment bywhich they access content and obtain media guidance. For example, someusers may have home networks that are accessed by in-home and mobiledevices. Users may control in-home devices via a media guidanceapplication implemented on a remote device. For example, users mayaccess an online media guidance application on a website via a personalcomputer at their office, or a mobile device such as a PDA orweb-enabled mobile telephone. The user may set various settings (e.g.,recordings, reminders, or other settings) on the online guidanceapplication to control the user's in-home equipment. The online guidemay control the user's equipment directly, or by communicating with amedia guidance application on the user's in-home equipment. Varioussystems and methods for user equipment devices communicating, where theuser equipment devices are in locations remote from each other, isdiscussed in, for example, Ellis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,046,801, issuedOct. 25, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

In a third approach, users of user equipment devices inside and outsidea home can use their media guidance application to communicate directlywith content source 516 to access content. Specifically, within a home,users of user television equipment 502 and user computer equipment 504may access the media guidance application to navigate among and locatedesirable content. Users may also access the media guidance applicationoutside of the home using wireless user communications devices 506 tonavigate among and locate desirable content.

In a fourth approach, user equipment devices may operate in a cloudcomputing environment to access cloud services. In a cloud computingenvironment, various types of computing services for content sharing,storage or distribution (e.g., video sharing sites or social networkingsites) are provided by a collection of network-accessible computing andstorage resources, referred to as “the cloud.” For example, the cloudcan include a collection of server computing devices, which may belocated centrally or at distributed locations, that provide cloud-basedservices to various types of users and devices connected via a networksuch as the Internet via communications network 514. These cloudresources may include one or more content sources 516 and one or moremedia guidance data sources 518. In addition or in the alternative, theremote computing sites may include other user equipment devices, such asuser television equipment 502, user computer equipment 504, and wirelessuser communications device 506. For example, the other user equipmentdevices may provide access to a stored copy of a video or a streamedvideo. In such embodiments, user equipment devices may operate in apeer-to-peer manner without communicating with a central server.

The cloud provides access to services, such as content storage, contentsharing, or social networking services, among other examples, as well asaccess to any content described above, for user equipment devices.Services can be provided in the cloud through cloud computing serviceproviders, or through other providers of online services. For example,the cloud-based services can include a content storage service, acontent sharing site, a social networking site, or other services viawhich user-sourced content is distributed for viewing by others onconnected devices. These cloud-based services may allow a user equipmentdevice to store content to the cloud and to receive content from thecloud rather than storing content locally and accessing locally-storedcontent.

A user may use various content capture devices, such as camcorders,digital cameras with video mode, audio recorders, mobile phones, andhandheld computing devices, to record content. The user can uploadcontent to a content storage service on the cloud either directly, forexample, from user computer equipment 504 or wireless usercommunications device 506 having content capture feature. Alternatively,the user can first transfer the content to a user equipment device, suchas user computer equipment 504. The user equipment device storing thecontent uploads the content to the cloud using a data transmissionservice on communications network 514. In some embodiments, the userequipment device itself is a cloud resource, and other user equipmentdevices can access the content directly from the user equipment deviceon which the user stored the content.

Cloud resources may be accessed by a user equipment device using, forexample, a web browser, a media guidance application, a desktopapplication, a mobile application, and/or any combination of accessapplications of the same. The user equipment device may be a cloudclient that relies on cloud computing for application delivery, or theuser equipment device may have some functionality without access tocloud resources. For example, some applications running on the userequipment device may be cloud applications, i.e., applications deliveredas a service over the Internet, while other applications may be storedand run on the user equipment device. In some embodiments, a user devicemay receive content from multiple cloud resources simultaneously. Forexample, a user device can stream audio from one cloud resource whiledownloading content from a second cloud resource. Or a user device candownload content from multiple cloud resources for more efficientdownloading. In some embodiments, user equipment devices can use cloudresources for processing operations such as the processing operationsperformed by processing circuitry described in relation to FIG. 4.

As referred herein, the term “in response to” refers to initiated as aresult of. For example, a first action being performed in response to asecond action may include interstitial steps between the first actionand the second action. As referred herein, the term “directly inresponse to” refers to caused by. For example, a first action beingperformed directly in response to a second action may not includeinterstitial steps between the first action and the second action.

Detailed descriptions of FIGS. 6-14 are provided below. It should benoted that processes 600-1400, or any step thereof, could be performedon, or provided by, any of the devices shown in, or described withrespect to, FIGS. 4-5. For example, either process 600 or process 700may be executed by control circuitry 404 (FIG. 4) as instructed by mediaguidance application(s) implemented on user equipment 502, 504, and/or506 (FIG. 5). In addition, one or more steps of processes 600 and 700may be incorporated into, or combined with, one or more steps of anyother process or embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 600 forgenerating binge-watching pause recommendation prompts in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure. Process 600 may be executed bycontrol circuitry 404 (e.g., in a manner instructed to control circuitry404 by the media guidance application). Control circuitry 404 may be apart of user equipment (e.g., user television equipment 502, usercomputer equipment 504, and/or wireless communications device 506), orof a remote server separated from the user equipment by way ofcommunications network 514.

Process 600 begins at 602, where control circuitry 404 provides a seriesto a user device, the series including a plurality of sequentialepisodes (e.g., episodes 104, 106, 108, 110 of FIG. 1). For example, themedia guidance application running on control circuitry 404 may generatea series for display on a display 412 of user television equipment 502.The media content may be generated for display by way of an explicituser selection to play the video, as a result of the user equipmentbeing powered on, or by any other triggering events. In someembodiments, control circuitry 404 may provide episodes of the seriessequentially in a predetermined order. In some embodiments, controlcircuitry 404 may provide related episodes (e.g., episodes of a familyof interrelated episodes) in a dynamic order, a random order, or anorder specified by the user. For example, the media guidance applicationmay present episodes of a set of “America Funnies Home Videos” in orderof popularity or in response to selection of a next episode by the user.

Process 600 continues to 604, where control circuitry 404 determinesthat the user is engaged in binge-watching the series. In someembodiments, control circuitry 404 may make this determination based onthe rate at which the user consumes the episodes of the series. In someembodiments, control circuitry 404 may make this determination based onthe user watching more than a certain number of episodes in a row. Insome embodiments, control circuitry 404 may make this determinationbased on the user watching more than a certain number of episodes of aset of interrelated episodes in a certain time period. For example,control circuitry 404 may determine that the user is engaged inbinge-watching if the user watched more than three episodes of “AmericanFunnies Home Videos” in a certain time period (e.g., 3.5 hours),regardless of the order in which these episodes were watched. Inresponse to determining that the user is engaged in binge-watching theseries, control circuitry 404 may proceed to step 606.

Process 600 continues to 606, where control circuitry 404 may determinea binge compulsion score for each episode of the plurality of sequentialor interrelated episodes. For example, control circuitry 404 maydetermine how likely each episode is to cause binge-watching. In someembodiments, control circuitry 404 may track historic patterns of bingebehavior following an average user watching a particular episode. Insome embodiments, control circuitry 404 may determine the bingecompulsion score for an episode based on how many additional sequentialepisodes an average user has watched after watching that episode. Forexample, if after watching an episode, an average user went on to watchthree more episodes in a short period of time (e.g., 4 hours), controlcircuitry 404 may set the binge compulsion score to a value of “3.” Insome embodiments, the period of time may be pre-set. In someembodiments, control circuitry 404 may dynamically determine or adjustthe period of time based on at least one of the user profile, time ofday, metadata of the series or any other factor.

In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may determine the bingecompulsion score for an episode based on how many additional episodesfrom a set of interrelated episodes an average user has watched afterwatching that episode. For example, if after watching an episode, anaverage user went on to watch three more interrelated episodes, in anyorder, in a short period of time (e.g., 4 hours), control circuitry 404may set the binge compulsion score to a value of “3.” In someembodiments, the period of time may be pre-set. In some embodiments,control circuitry 404 may dynamically determine or adjust the period oftime based on at least one of the user profile, time of day, metadata ofthe series or any other factor.

Process 600 continues to 608, where control circuitry 404 may generatefor display a prompt recommending to the user to pause the series beforethe next episode begins in response to determining that the bingecompulsion score of the next episode (or a next episode selected by theusers) corresponds to a threshold. For example, control circuitry 404may set the threshold to a value of “2.5,” indicating that a warningshould be generated when the next episode (e.g., an episode about bedisplayed) can be expected to cause a user to watch, on average, 2.5more sequential or interrelated episodes. In some embodiments, ifcontrol circuitry 404 determines that the score of the next episode(e.g., “3”) exceeds the threshold (e.g., “2.5”) control circuitry 404may then generate for display a prompt (e.g., binge-watching prompt 114)(FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the prompt may include a recommendationto the user to pause the series before the next episode begins. Forexample, the prompt may include text: “Please consider watching thisepisode tomorrow, as the next episode causes most users to watch 3 moreepisodes.”

In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may generate prompts otherthan a stopping prompt. For example, control circuitry 404 mayadditionally or alternatively generate a prompt suggesting a differentactivity to the user. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 maygenerate a prompt that suggest to a user that he or she should engage ina different activity other than watching the series. In someembodiments, control circuitry 404 may generate a prompt that suggestthat user should engage in physical activity, such as a walk or a jog.In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may generate a prompt thatsuggests presentation of a different media content unrelated to theseries. For example, the prompt may include a hyperlink to differentmedia content. In some embodiments, the different media content may havea low binge compulsion score.

In some embodiments, when the series comprises a set of interrelatedepisodes, control circuitry 404 may generate a prompt that suggestswatching a different episode of the series instead of the episode thatwas going to be next. For example, if the user is watching “AmericaFunniest Home Videos” series, control circuitry 404 may have determinedthat the next episode selected by the user has a binge compulsion scorethat corresponds to a threshold. In some embodiments, control circuitry404 may then generate a prompt suggesting that a user should select adifferent episode of “America Funniest Home Videos” series that has abinge compulsion score that is lower than the threshold.

In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may, in response todetermining that the binge compulsion score of the next episodecorresponds to a threshold, generate for display a prompt that suggest abreak to the user. For example, control circuitry 404 may generate aprompt that includes a prompt “Please consider a 30-minute break.” Insome embodiments, control circuitry 404 may disable playback of theseries for the duration of the suggested break, in response to the userindicating that he or she intends to take such a break.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 700 forgenerating binge-watching pause recommendation prompts in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure. Process 700 may be executed bycontrol circuitry 404 (e.g., in a manner instructed to control circuitry404 by the media guidance application). Control circuitry 404 may be apart of user equipment (e.g., user television equipment 502, usercomputer equipment 504, and/or wireless communications device 506), orof a remote server separated from the user equipment by way ofcommunications network 514.

Process 700 begins at 702, where control circuitry 404 creates a bingecompulsion score for each episode of the plurality of sequentialepisodes of the series. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may,instead of creating the binge compulsion scores, retrieve the bingecompulsion score for each episode of the plurality of sequentialepisodes of the series form a remote source, e.g., from media guidancedata source 518 or media content source 516. In some embodiments, steps702-706 may be performed by a remote device (e.g., media guidance datasource 518) that may then provide the binge compulsion scores to controlcircuitry 404, e.g., via communication network 514.

In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may create a binge compulsionscore for each episode of series (e.g., “Game of Thrones”) that includesa number (e.g., seven) episodes, e.g., “Episode 1,” “Episode 2,” . . .“Episode 7.” In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may optionallyperform steps 704 and 706 to generate the binge compulsion scores.

Process 700 may continue to 702, where control circuitry 404 maydetermine, for an average user who watched that episode, an average rateof consumption of additional sequential episodes of the series in apredetermined time period that follows the watching of that episode. Forexample, control circuitry 404 may set the predetermined time period tobe 4 hours. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may then, for agiven episode, determine the rate of consumption, by an average user, ofadditional episodes during the predetermined time period. For example,if an average user consumes 3 more episodes during the 4-hour timeperiod following the conclusion of a given episode, control circuitry404 may set the average rate of consumption of additional sequentialepisodes for that episodes to be equal to “3 episodes per 4 hours.”

Process 700 may continue to 702, where control circuitry 404 maycalculate a score that corresponds to the average rate of consumption ofadditional episodes. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may setthe binge compulsion score for an episode to be equal to the averagerate of consumption of additional sequential episodes for that episodes.In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may optionally adjust thebinge compulsion score based on such factors as length of the episode,popularity of the episode, or any combination thereof. For example, forshort episodes, control circuitry 404 may calculate a score by scalingdown the average rate of consumption. In another example, a score on a1-10 (or any other range) scale may be selected. For example, score of 1may indicate that the episode is not likely to cause a binge compulsion,while the score of “10” may indicate that the episode is highly likelyto cause a binge compulsion, where the likelihood of binge compulsion isbased on the average rate of consumption.

Process 700 continues at 708, where control circuitry 404 provides thenext episode of a series to a user device, the series including aplurality of sequential episodes (e.g., episodes 104, 106, 108, 110 ofFIG. 1). For example, the media guidance application running on controlcircuitry 404 may generate a series for display on a display 412 of usertelevision equipment 502. The media content may be generated for displayby way of an explicit user selection to play the video, as a result ofthe user equipment being powered on, or by any other triggering events.In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may provide episodes of theseries sequentially in a predetermined order. For example, controlcircuitry 404 may begin providing the series at “Episode 1” if the useris new to the series. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 mayprovide a next episode in the series if some episodes were alreadywatched. For example, if the user already watched “Episode 1” and“Episode 2,” control circuitry 404 may provide “Episode 3.”

Process 700 continues at 710, where control circuitry 404 may determinewhether a user is binge-watching the series. For example, controlcircuitry 404 may determine that the user has watched more than acertain number of episodes in a row. In another embodiment, controlcircuitry 404 may determine whether a user is binge-watching the seriesbased on the user's rate of consumption of episodes. In someembodiments, control circuitry 404 may optionally perform steps 712 and713 to determine whether a user is binge-watching the series.

Process 700 may optionally continue at 712 where control circuitry 404may determine the user's current rate of consumption of the episodes. Insome embodiments, control circuitry 404 may determine the user's rate ofconsumption of the episodes in a rolling time window (e.g., a 3-hourwindow). In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may determine thatthe user has watched 2 episodes in 3 hours and thus that the user's rateof consumption is “2 episodes per 3 hours.”

Process 700 may optionally continue at 713 where control circuitry 404may determine that the user's rate of consumption corresponds to abinge-watching threshold. In some embodiments, the media guidanceapplication may compare the user's rate of consumption to abinge-watching threshold. For example, control circuitry 404 maymaintain a pre-set threshold indicative of binge-watching behavior. Forexample, consuming more than 2 episodes per 3 hours may be classified asbinge-watching. In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may comparethe user's rate of consumption of the episodes against the threshold.For example, if the user's rate of consumption of the episodes is “2.5episodes per 3 hours,” while the threshold is “2 episodes per 3 hours,”control circuitry 404 may determine that the user's rate of consumptioncorresponds to (e.g., equals or exceeds) a binge-watching threshold.

Process 700 continues at 714, where control circuitry 404 may proceed todifferent blocks depending on whether the user is binge-watching theseries or not.

In some embodiments, if the user is not binge-watching the series,control circuitry 404 may proceed back to 708 and continue providing theseries to the user device. In some embodiments, if the user isbinge-watching the series, control circuitry 404 may proceed to 716.

Process 700 continues at 716, where control circuitry 404 may determineif the binge compulsion score of a next episode corresponds to arecommendation threshold. For example, control circuitry 404 may comparethe binge compulsion score of a next episode (e.g., an episode that isabout to play) to a recommendation threshold. In some embodiments, therecommendation threshold may be preset to a certain value (e.g., “3episodes per 4 hours”). In some embodiments, the recommendationthreshold may be dynamically adjusted by control circuitry 404. In oneexample, control circuitry 404 may compare the binge completion score(e.g., “3.5 episodes per 4 hours”) of the next episode (e.g., episode108 of FIG. 8) to the recommendation threshold (e.g., “3 episodes per 4hours.”) In this example, control circuitry 404 will determine that thecompulsion score of the next episode does correspond to therecommendation threshold because the value “3.5 episodes per 4 hours”exceeds the threshold value “3 episodes per 4 hours.” In someembodiments, if the binge compulsion score of a next episode correspondsto a recommendation threshold, control circuitry 404 may proceed to 718.In some embodiments, if the binge compulsion score of the next episodedoes not correspond to the recommendation threshold, control circuitry404 may proceed to 708 and continue providing the series.

Process 700 continues at 718, where control circuitry 404 may generatefor display a prompt (e.g., binge-watching prompt 114) recommending tothe user to pause the series before the next episode is provided. Insome embodiments, the prompt is generated in response to determiningthat the binge compulsion score of the next episode corresponds to therecommendation threshold at 716. In some embodiments, the prompt may bedisplayed on display 412. In some embodiments, the prompt may comprisean indication (e.g., text) of how many episodes the average user watchedafter watching the next episode.

Process 700 continues at 720, where control circuitry 404 may, inresponse to receiving a confirmation from the user, pause the providingof the series before the next episode is provided. For example, the usermay press the “yes” pause button using a user interface input 410 tosend the confirmation. In another example, the user may provide theconfirmation using binge-watching UI 116. In some embodiments, controlcircuitry 404 may pause the playback of the series when the conformationis received.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 800 forcalculating an average rate of consumption in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure. Process 800 may be executed by controlcircuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry404 by the media guidance application. In some embodiments, process 800is executed as a part of block 702.

Process 800 begins at 802, wherein control circuitry 404 provides anepisode of a series (e.g., episode 104 of FIG. 1) to a plurality of userdevices. For example, the media guidance application running on controlcircuitry 404 may generate media content for display on a plurality ofdisplays of the plurality of users. In some embodiments, the episode maybe provided to different users at different times. For example, theepisode may be generated for display to each user by way of an explicituser selection to play an episode of the series.

Process 800 continues at 804, wherein control circuitry 404 determines,for each device of the plurality of user devices, a respective rate ofconsumption of additional sequential episodes of the series in thepredetermined time period after the episode is provided. For example,one user may go on to watch 3 additional episodes after watching theepisode in a 4-hour window, while another user may go on to watch twoadditional episodes after watching the episode in a 4-hour window. Inthis example, control circuitry 404 may determine the respective rate ofconsumption of additional sequential episodes to be “3 episodes per 4hours” for one user and “2 episodes per 4 hours” for another user.

Process 800 continues at 806, wherein control circuitry 404 calculatesan average of the respective rates of consumption. For example, in theaforementioned example, control circuitry 404 may calculate the averageto be “2.5 episodes per 4 hours.”

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 900 for settingthe binge compulsion score in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure. Process 900 may be executed by control circuitry 404, forexample, in a manner instructed to control circuitry 404 by the mediaguidance application. In some embodiments, process 900 is executed as apart of block 702.

Process 900 begins at 902, wherein control circuitry 404 comparesmetadata of an episode of the series to metadata of a different episode.For example, control circuitry 404 may compare such metadata as genre,popularity on social media, actors, director or any other metadata. Insome embodiments, control circuitry 404 may create a likeness scorebased on the comparison. For example, a better match of metadata willresult in a higher likeness score.

Process 900 continues at 904, wherein control circuitry 404 retrieves abinge compulsion score of the different episode in response todetermining that the likeness score corresponds to a likeness threshold.For example, if the likeness score is high enough, control circuitry 404may retrieve the binge compulsion score of the different episode frommedia guidance data source 518 via communication network 514.

Process 900 continues at 906, wherein control circuitry 404 may set thebinge compulsion score for the episode based on the binge compulsionscore of the different episode. For example, if the binge compulsionscore of the different episode is “3.5 episodes per 4 hours,” controlcircuitry 404 may set the binge compulsion score for the episode to alsobe “3.5 episode per 4 hours.” In some embodiments, control circuitry 404may determine that several different episodes have a likeness score thatexceeds the likeness threshold. In these embodiments, control circuitry404 may set the binge compulsion score for the episode to be equal to anaverage of binge compulsion score of a plurality of different episodesthat have a likeness score exceeding the threshold.

FIG. 10 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 1000 fordetermining the user's current rate of consumption of the episodes inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Process 1000 may beexecuted by control circuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructedto control circuitry 404 by the media guidance application. In someembodiments, process 1000 is executed as a part of block 712.

Process 1000 begins at 1002, wherein control circuitry 404 determines abinge-watching time window based on the user's profile. For example,control circuitry 404 may determine the time window based on the age ofthe user. For example, for users under the age of 14, control circuitry404 may set the binge-watching window at “2 hours.” In another example,for users over the age of 14, control circuitry 404 may set thebinge-watching window at “3 hours.” In some embodiments, any otherinformation from the user profile may be used to set or adjust thebinge-watching time window.

Process 1000 continues at 1004, wherein control circuitry 404 maydetermine a number of episodes of the series the user has watched duringthe binge-watching time window. For example, if the binge-watchingwindow was set at “2 hours,” control circuitry 404 may determine howmany episodes were watched during the 2-hour window.

Process 1000 continues at 1004, wherein control circuitry 404 may dividethe number of episodes determines in step 1004 by the length of thebinge-watching time window. For example, if the binge-watching windowwas “2 hours” while the number of episodes of the series the user haswatched during the binge-watching time window was “1.5,” controlcircuitry 404 may divide 1.5 by 2 to determine the user's current rateof consumption of the episodes.

FIG. 11 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 1100 fordetermining the binge-watching threshold in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure. Process 1100 may be executed by controlcircuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry404 by the media guidance application. In some embodiments, process 1100is executed as a part of block 713.

Process 1100 includes steps 1102, 1104, and 1106 which may be performedby control circuitry 404 sequentially or simultaneously. In someembodiments, control circuitry 404 may only perform one or two of thesteps 1102, 1104, and 1106.

Process 1100 may optionally include step 1102, where control circuitry404 accesses a user profile. For example, the user profile may beretrieved from storage 408 or from media guidance data source 518. Insome embodiments, the user profile may include the user's demographicinformation, preferences, subscription information or any other datarelated to the user.

Process 1100 may optionally include step 1104, where control circuitry404 access recent user watching history. For example, user watchinghistory may be retrieved from storage 408 or from media guidance datasource 518. In some embodiments, user watching history may includeinformation relating to user's history of binge-watching. For example,user watching history may include an indication of how often the userhas engaged in binge-watching in certain recent time period (e.g., lastweek).

Process 1100 may optionally include step 1106, where control circuitry404 accesses user calendar data. For example, user calendar data may beretrieved from storage 408, from media guidance data source 518, or fromuser computer equipment 504. In some embodiments, user calendar data mayinclude information relating to the user's upcoming engagements orappointments. For example, user calendar data may include an indicationthat the user has several meetings coming later today.

Process 1100 may continue to 1108, where control circuitry 404 maydetermine the binge-watching threshold based on at least one of the userprofile, recent user watching history, and the user calendar data. Forexample, the binge-watching threshold may be set or adjusted based onthe age of the user contained in the user profile. For example, if theuser is under the age of 14, control circuitry 404 may lower therecommendation threshold (e.g., by “0.5 episodes per hour.”) Forexample, if the default binge-watching threshold is “3 episodes per 4hours,” control circuitry 404 may lower the binge-watching threshold to“2.5 episodes per 4 hours.”

In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may set or adjust thebinge-watching threshold based on recent user watching history. Forexample, control circuitry 404 may lower the binge-watching threshold(e.g., by “1 episode per hour.”) if the user engaged in certain amountof binge-watching in a certain time period (e.g., 2 instances ofbinge-watching over one week.) In some embodiments, control circuitry404 may set or adjust the binge-watching threshold based on the usercalendar data. For example, if the control circuitry 404 determines thatthe user has an upcoming apportionment or meeting in the next certaintime period (e.g., in the next 4 hours) the control circuitry 404 maylower the binge-watching threshold (e.g., by “1.5 episode per hours.”)

In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may also adjust therecommendation threshold based on the data accessed in steps 1102, 1104,1106. For example, the recommendation threshold may be adjusted based onat least one of age of the user, previous binge-watching behavior, andupcoming appointments, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, control circuitry 404 may also set or adjust thebinge-watching threshold based parental control settings. For example,control circuitry 404 may allow the parent to explicitly set thebinge-watching threshold via user input interface 410. In someembodiments, the binge-watching threshold may be set or adjusted basedon activities performed by a child. For example, if the child has a lotof scheduled uncompleted activities (e.g., homework), the binge-watchingthreshold may be lowered by control circuitry 404.

FIG. 12 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 1200 foradjusting the recommendation threshold in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure. Process 1200 may be executed by controlcircuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry404 by the media guidance application. In some embodiments, process 1200is executed as a part of block 716.

Process 1200 begins at 1202, wherein control circuitry 404 determinesthat a plurality of users typically paused before the next episode ofthe series. For example, control circuitry 404 may determine that morethan a certain percentage (e.g., 25%) of users have paused the seriesbefore the playback of the next episode.

Process 1200 continues at 1204, where control circuitry 404 may adjustthe recommendation threshold in response to determining that theplurality of users typically paused before the next episode of theseries. For example, control circuitry 404 may lower the recommendationthreshold (e.g., by “1 episode per 4 hours”) if other users typicallypaused the series before the next episode was played.

FIG. 13 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 1300 forgenerating for display the recommendation prompt in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure. Process 1300 may be executed by controlcircuitry 404, for example, in a manner instructed to control circuitry404 by the media guidance application. In some embodiments, process 1300is executed as a part of block 718.

Process 1300 begins at 1302, wherein control circuitry 404 may receive,from a user, an indication that binge-watching prompts are allowed. Forexample, during the initial setup of user television equipment 502, theuser may select an option to receive binge-watching pauserecommendations. For example, the user may select this option using userinput interface 410.

Process 1300 continues at 1304, where control circuitry 404 may generatefor display the prompt recommending to the user to pause the seriesbefore the next episode is provided, only in response to receiving theindication that binge-watching prompts are allowed. This may be done inorder not to annoy or inconvenience a user who does not wish to bewarned about binge-watching.

FIG. 14 depicts an illustrative flow diagram of a process 1400 forgenerating for display a reminder for the user to resume watching theseries in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Process1400 may be executed by control circuitry 404, for example, in a mannerinstructed to control circuitry 404 by the media guidance application.In some embodiments, process 1300 is executed as a part of block 718.

Process 1400 begins at 1402, wherein control circuitry 404 may calculatethe length of a cool-down period based on a user profile. In someembodiments, this is done in response to pausing the providing of theseries before the next episode is provided. In some embodiments, controlcircuitry 404 may determine the cool-down period based on demographicsinformation (e.g., age) of the user contained in the user profile. Forexample, for users under 14 years of age the cool-down period may be setto 2 days, while for other users the cool-down period is set to 1 day.

Process 1400 continues at 1404, where control circuitry 404 may generatefor display a reminder for the user to resume watching the series afterthe cool-down period. For example, control circuitry 404, may let thecool-down period (e.g., 2 days) elapse, and then generate for display(e.g., on display 100) a reminder to resume watching the series. In someembodiments, control circuitry 404 may prevent providing the series tothe user before the cool-down period expires.

It is contemplated that the steps or descriptions of each of FIGS. 6-14may be used with any other embodiment of this disclosure. It iscontemplated that some steps or descriptions of each of FIGS. 6-14 maybe optional and may be omitted in some embodiments. In addition, thesteps and descriptions described in relation to FIGS. 6-14 may be donein alternative orders or in parallel to further the purposes of thisdisclosure. For example, each of these steps may be performed in anyorder or in parallel or substantially simultaneously to reduce lag orincrease the speed of the system or method. Furthermore, it should benoted that any of the devices or equipment discussed in relation toFIGS. 4-5 could be used to perform one or more of the steps in FIGS.6-14.

It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that methodsinvolved in the present disclosure may be embodied in a computer programproduct that includes a computer-usable and/or readable medium. Forexample, such a computer-usable medium may consist of a read-only memorydevice, such as a CD-ROM disk or conventional ROM device, or a randomaccess memory, such as a hard drive device or a computer diskette,having a computer-readable program code stored thereon. It should alsobe understood that methods, techniques, and processes involved in thepresent disclosure may be executed using processing circuitry. Theprocessing circuitry, for instance, may be a general purpose processor,a customized integrated circuit (e.g., an ASIC), or a field-programmablegate array (FPGA) within user equipment 400, media content source 516,or media guidance data source 518.

The processes discussed above in FIGS. 6-14 are intended to beillustrative and not limiting. One skilled in the art would appreciatethat the steps of the processes in FIGS. 6-14 discussed herein may beomitted, modified, combined, and/or rearranged, and any additional stepsmay be performed without departing from the scope of the disclosure.More generally, the above disclosure is meant to be exemplary and notlimiting. Only the claims that follow are meant to set bounds as to whatthe present invention includes. Furthermore, it should be noted that thefeatures and limitations described in any one embodiment may be appliedto any other embodiment herein, and flowcharts or examples relating toone embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment in a suitablemanner, done in different orders, or done in parallel. In addition, thesystems and methods described herein may be performed in real time. Itshould also be noted, the systems and/or methods described above may beapplied to, or used in accordance with, other systems and/or methods.

While some portions of this disclosure may make reference to“convention,” any such reference is merely for the purpose of providingcontext to the invention(s) of the instant disclosure, and does not formany admission as to what constitutes the state of the art.

1-51. (canceled)
 52. A computer-implemented method for causing to beprovided a notification related to suspected continual-consumption ofcontent, the method comprising: receiving a request to for an episode ofa plurality of content episodes of a series; calculating, using controlcircuitry, a continual-consumption value for the episode, wherein thecontinual-consumption value is indicative of a likelihood of continuallyconsuming subsequent episodes of the plurality of content episodes ofthe series; analyzing, using the control circuitry, thecontinual-consumption value of the episode to determine whetherconsumption of the episode is likely to cause continual-consumption ofthe subsequent episodes of the plurality of content episodes of theseries; in response to determining, based on the analyzing, thatconsumption of the episode of the plurality of content episodes islikely to cause continual-consumption and in response to receiving therequest, causing the notification to be provided.
 53. The method ofclaim 52, wherein calculating the continual-consumption value for theepisode comprises analyzing historic patterns of continual-consumptionbehavior subsequent to consumption of the episode to calculate anaverage rate of consumption.
 54. The method of claim 53, whereinanalyzing historic patterns of continual-consumption behavior comprisesdetermining for a plurality of user devices a respective rate ofconsumption of the subsequent episodes of the plurality of contentepisodes of the series.
 55. The method of claim 52, wherein calculatingthe continual-consumption value for the episode comprises: comparing theepisode to a different episode of a plurality of different contentepisodes, wherein the plurality of different content episodes meet alikeness threshold; and determining, based on the comparison, thecontinual-consumption value of the episode.
 56. The method of claim 55,wherein the continual-consumption value for the episode is set to beequal to an average of continual-consumption values of a plurality ofdifferent content episodes that have a plurality of respective likenessvalues that exceeds the likeness threshold.
 57. The method of claim 52,further comprising calculating a second continual-consumption value fora portion of the episode; and wherein causing the notification to bedisplayed comprises causing the notification to be displayed before theportion is caused to be displayed.
 58. The method of claim 52, whereinanalyzing the continual-consumption value comprises comparing thecontinual-consumption value against a recommendation threshold, themethod further comprising: determining that a plurality of userstypically pause before a next episode of the series; and adjusting therecommendation threshold in response to determining that the pluralityof users typically paused before the next episode of the series.
 59. Themethod of claim 52, further comprising: calculating a current rate ofconsumption of episodes of the series; and calculating acontinual-consumption threshold.
 60. The method of claim 59, wherein thecurrent rate of consumption is based on a dynamic time window.
 61. Themethod of claim 59, wherein calculating the continual-consumptionthreshold comprises calculating the continual-consumption thresholdbased on at least one selected from the group of a user profile, awatching history, and calendar data.
 62. A system for causing to beprovided a notification related to suspected continual-consumption ofcontent, the system comprising control circuitry configured to: receivea request to for an episode of a plurality of content episodes of aseries; calculate a continual-consumption value for the episode, whereinthe continual-consumption value is indicative of a likelihood ofcontinually watching subsequent episodes of the plurality of contentepisodes of the series; analyze, using the control circuitry, thecontinual-consumption value of the episode to determine whetherconsumption of the episode is likely to cause continual-consumption ofthe subsequent episodes of the plurality of content episodes of theseries; in response to determining, based on the analyzing, thatconsumption of the episode of the plurality of content episodes islikely to cause continual-consumption and in response to receiving therequest, cause the notification to be provided.
 63. The system of claim62, wherein the control circuitry is configured to calculate thecontinual-consumption value for the episode by analyzing historicpatterns of continual-consumption behavior subsequent to consumption ofthe episode to calculate an average rate of consumption.
 64. The systemof claim 63, wherein the control circuitry is configured to analyzehistoric patterns of continual-consumption behavior by determining for aplurality of user devices a respective rate of consumption of thesubsequent episodes of the plurality of content episodes of the series.65. The system of claim 62, wherein the control circuitry is configuredto calculate the continual-consumption value for the episode by:comparing the episode to a different episode of a plurality of differentcontent episodes, wherein the plurality of different content episodesmeet a likeness threshold; and determining, based on the comparison, thecontinual-consumption value of the episode.
 66. The system of claim 65,wherein the continual-consumption value for the episode is set to beequal to an average of continual-consumption values of a plurality ofdifferent content episodes that have a plurality of respective likenessvalues that exceeds the likeness threshold.
 67. The system of claim 62,wherein the control circuitry is further configured to calculate asecond continual-consumption value for a portion of the episode; andwherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the notification tobe displayed by causing the notification to be displayed before theportion is caused to be displayed.
 68. The system of claim 62, whereinthe control circuitry is configured to analyze the continual-consumptionvalue by comparing the continual-consumption value against arecommendation threshold, the control circuitry further configured to:determine that a plurality of users typically pause before a nextepisode of the series; and adjust the recommendation threshold inresponse to determining that the plurality of users typically pausedbefore the next episode of the series.
 69. The system of claim 62,wherein the control circuitry is further configured to: calculate acurrent rate of consumption of episodes of the series; and calculate acontinual-consumption threshold.
 70. The system of claim 69, wherein thecurrent rate of consumption is based on a dynamic time window.
 71. Thesystem of claim 69, wherein the control circuitry is configured tocalculate the continual-consumption threshold by calculating thecontinual-consumption threshold based on at least one selected from thegroup of a user profile, a watching history, and calendar data.